Malone University junior righthander Christian Specht has been named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Pitcher of the Week following a terrific outing against Assumption (MA) last Friday during Baseball Week at Rollins College.
 
Specht, a native of Massillon, Ohio (Jackson HS), pitched eight shutout innings in a 15-0 win over the Greyhounds. The 6'4" righty posted a career-high eight strikeouts, did not walk a batter, and allowed just four hits. Specht surrendered three of those four hits in the first inning before settling down to give up just one hit over the final seven innings on his way to his first win of the season.
 
After serving as the Pioneers' closer and leading the team with five saves in 2018, Specht has transitioned nicely into the starting rotation this spring. Through three starts, he is 1-1 with a 2.65 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched.
 
Malone, which leads the G-MAC and ranks 21st in the NCAA Division II in team ERA, has won each of the last two G-MAC Pitcher of the Week honors. Junior Eric Mullet, who is third in the G-MAC with 24 strikeouts, won the award last week. Junior Tommy Walker leads the league with a 1.04 ERA and redshirt sophomore Clyde Yoder leads the league in wins and is fifth in ERA (2.12) and strikeouts (22).
 
The Pioneers are 10-5 on the season and begin G-MAC play this weekend with home doubleheaders against Trevecca Nazarene on Friday, March 15th and Saturday, March 16th. First pitch for Friday's twinbill is set for 1:00 pm.